Colombo District

Colombo District has the capital of Sri Lanka. It is the most populous and developed district in the country. It is known as කොළඹ දිස්ත්‍රික්කය (kol̠am̆ba distrikkaya) in Sinhala and கொழும்பு மாவட்டம் (Koḻumpu Māvaṭṭam) in Tamil.

History

Colombo District has a rich and extensive history that spans several centuries. Originally a modest seaport facilitating trade between Asian and European merchants, it has undergone significant transformation over time. Its importance grew notably during the colonial era under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British empires.

Before the colonial period, Colombo District was part of the pre-colonial Kingdom of Kotte. It then came under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch, and ultimately the British. In 1815, following British colonial consolidation, the entire island of Ceylon came under British control. The British administration divided the island into three ethnic-based regions: Low Country Sinhalese, Kandyan Sinhalese, and Tamil. Colombo District was included in the Low Country Sinhalese region.

In 1833, based on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission, the British unified the island’s ethnic divisions into a single administrative framework, dividing the territory into five geographic provinces. Colombo District, along with Kalutara, Puttalam, Seven Korales (now part of Kurunegala District), Three Korales, Four Korales, and Lower Bulatgama (now part of Kegalle District), was incorporated into the newly established Western Province. When Ceylon gained independence, Colombo remained one of the two districts within the Western Province. In September 1978, portions of Colombo District were transferred to the newly created Gampaha District.

Geography

Colombo District is situated along the west coast of Sri Lanka, characterized by a mix of flat terrain and marshy areas. The Kelani River forms its northern boundary, providing an essential water source for the region. With its coastline along the Indian Ocean, the district holds a strategically important position for maritime activities.

Administration

Colombo district is divided into 13 administrative divisions known as Divisional Secretariats. Each division handles local governance and development within their areas. Beneath the DS Divisions are smaller units called Grama Niladhari Divisions. These divisions are the smallest administrative units and are overseen by a village officer. Colombo district has 566 GN Divisions.

DS Division	GN Divisions	Area (km2)
Colombo	35	18
Dehiwala	15	8
Homagama	81	121
Kaduwela	57	88
Kesbewa	73	64
Kolonnawa	46	28
Maharagama	41	38
Moratuwa	42	20
Padukka	46	110
Ratmalana	13	13
Seethawaka	68	150
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte	20	17
Thimbirigasyaya	29	24
Total	566	699

Cities and Towns

Colombo district is home to several key cities and towns, each contributing to its dynamic character. Colombo is the most prominent and serves as the commercial heart of the country. Other important cities include Kaduwela, and Dehiwala. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital of Sri Lanka. Kotte, although less urbanized, holds historical significance as the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Here are largest cities or towns as per the 2012 Census:

No	Name	Population
1	Colombo	693,593
2	Kaduwela	252,041
3	Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia	233,290
4	Maharagama	196,423
5	Moratuwa	191,634
6	Kesbewa	185,122
7	Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte	125,270
8	Boralesgamuwa	60,110
9	Kolonnawa	60,044
10	Avissawella	30,308

Demographics

Population

Colombo district is the most populated in Sri Lanka, with 2,309,809 of people living in a relatively small area. It has the highest population and population density in Sri Lanka. The majority of its residents are Sinhalese, with significant minority communities of Sri Lankan Moors and Sri Lankan Tamils. The population is growing due to urbanization and migration as people come seeking jobs and better living conditions.

Ethnicity

Colombo is a melting pot of ethnicity, reflecting the diversity of Sri Lanka as a whole. The majority are Sinhalese, followed by significant communities of Tamils and Muslims.

DS Division	Sinhalese	Sri Lankan Moors	Sri Lankan Tamil	Indian Tamil	Other	Total	Population Density (/km2)
Colombo	79,468	126,345	97,690	8,635	5,910	318,048	17,669
Dehiwala	53,182	17,870	12,917	1,240	2,625	87,834	10,979
Homagama	231,878	508	1,907	460	1,426	236,179	1,952
Kaduwela	241,104	2,011	4,605	740	3,597	252,057	2,864
Kesbewa	237,781	1,114	2,403	439	2,325	244,062	3,813
Kolonnawa	128,623	40,412	15,934	2,101	3,747	190,817	6,815
Maharagama	187,363	1,369	3,107	529	2,987	195,355	5,141
Moratuwa	157,901	2,683	4,802	397	1,377	167,160	8,358
Padukka	62,472	998	1,238	334	125	65,167	592
Ratmalana	75,181	9,005	7,852	855	2,269	95,162	7,320
Seethawaka	100,046	838	5,007	7,285	301	113,477	757
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte	91,268	5,207	7,503	801	2,729	107,508	6,324
Thimbirigasyaya	125,052	34,368	66,353	3,520	7,690	236,983	9,874
Total	1,771,319	242,728	231,318	27,336	37,108	2,309,809	3,304

Religion

The majority of the population practices Buddhism. Islam is practiced mainly by the Sri Lankan Moor community and Malay. Christianity is present, particularly among Catholics and Protestants. Hinduism is also followed by the Tamil population. This diversity is celebrated through various cultural festivals and events throughout the year.

Religion	Population	Percentage
Buddhist	1,631,999	70.66%
Muslim	271,719	11.76%
Christian	220,711	9.56%
Hindu	182,342	7.89%
Other	3,038	0.13%
Total	2,309,809	100%

Notable Information

Colombo district is not only a political and economic center but also a cultural hub. It hosts many of the country’s museums, theaters, and art galleries. The district is also a prime example of urban conservation, with many colonial buildings being preserved as heritage sites.

The economy of Colombo is diverse, with industries ranging from logistics and trading to tourism and banking. The Colombo Port is one of the busiest in South Asia, playing a critical role in international trade. Additionally, Colombo is seeing rapid growth in information technology and creative industries, making it a regional hub for innovation.

Education is another strong aspect of the district, with numerous schools, colleges, and universities offering a wide range of programs. The University of Colombo, for instance, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Asia.